Getting funding for a disability

Source: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/disability/funding Parent: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas

Find out about different types of financial support to help you with your studies if you have a disability.

Everyday living, personal care and medical care

You may be able to get financial support to cover the costs of:

everyday living, such as getting up, cooking, eating, getting around and going to bed
personal care, like washing, bathing, getting dressed and using the toilet
medical care, such as taking medication or changing dressings.

You need to contact your local council to get this kind of care. If you’re living in Brighton and Hove, find out about local social services and care assessments.

Important: Neither DSA, nor the University, can cover the cost of everyday living, personal care or medical care. Instead, you’ll need to contact your local authority.

If you already receive care, it’s best to arrange this before you start university.

If you’re an international student, make sure you have funding in place for social and personal care before you arrive.

Government benefits and financial support

If you are already receiving benefits from the UK government, some of these may change or be removed if you enter higher education. Please contact the respective government department associated with your financial support to check your eligibility whilst studying. You should also let the Benefits Agency, Jobcentre Plus, and other relevant organisations know that you're starting a course.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a state benefit that can help students with disabilities pay for extra living costs. It's not means-tested, so it doesn't consider income or savings. You may be eligible for PIP if you need help with personal care or mobility due to a disability, illness, or mental health condition. You can apply for PIP even if you are a full-time student. Starting a course won't affect your entitlement to PIP, but if the activities you do as part of your course improve your health, your PIP may be reviewed.
Access to Work can help support students with disabilities stay in employment and can be paid to students who are on full-time placement programmes within their course, or who are taking a course with an integrated placement. The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for: a grant to help pay for practical support with your work; support with managing your mental health at work; and money to pay for communication support at job interviews or when undertaking your role. Access to work will not pay for reasonable adjustments, as these are the changes your employer must legally make to support you to do your job.

Hardship funding and welfare loans from the University

There are other types of funding available for students who are struggling financially.

Find out about hardship funding, welfare loans and tuition fees.

You can also contact our Funding team for money advice.

Other benefits from the local council

Some welfare benefits may also cover additional non-study-related costs that arise from your disability. Getting these can be a long process.

Find out about welfare benefits from Brighton and Hove City Council or check with your own local authority.

Further help and advice

If you need advice or support you can get in touch through My Sussex.

You can also:

come to a Disability Advisor drop-in, every Wednesday (11am-1pm) and Thursday (2pm-4pm) in the Student Centre during term-time
visit the Student Centre welcome desk, 8.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday
call 01273 075700, 9am-4.30pm, Monday-Friday.